Oldchet, very nice ! You may end up liking that new rifle as lightweight as it is. We bought a 6.5 CM Vanguard S2 synthetic when it first came out. So far 1 cow elk and 1 antelope killed with this rifle both one shot kills around 150 to 175 yds , RL 17 powder, Nosler and Hornady brass , Both killed with Hornady 129 grain inter lock sp's. Velocity right at 2950 fps handloaded. I've got it to shoot slightly over 3000 fps with 129's and 2800 with 140 grain bullets, no sign of pressure problem with this rifle and loads, accuracy 1/2 inch after free floating and glass bedding the action. Prior to free floating and glass bedding it tended to pull shots and accuracy wasn't consistent, it liked a very clean barrel. Tried several different bullets and powders during load work-up , best groups were with Berger 140 vld hunting I just don't care for the bullet on anything larger than deer. Put on a little cheap Nikon 4x12 with bdc reticle , scope is pretty right on using Nikon spot on ballistic program. My wife is shooting 5 " groups @ slightly over 600 yds. Very lite recoil this rifle is fast becoming my favorite for just plinking and having fun shooting. I would have no problem using this set-up on the largest bull elk so long as I didn't try shooting extreme ranges where I needed to drive a bullet super deep, maybe if I tried a mono type bullet and a perfect broadside shot it would be acceptable for me. The thing that impressed me the most was how fast this 24 " barrel spit out a 129 grain bullet, I have 270 Winchesters with 22 " barrels using 130's that are right in the same ball park velocity wise. I have no doubt I can push them harder but why when the accuracy is there.